$480m for Perth airport infrastructure

The Federal Labor party has promised to contribute up to $480 million to a $600 million upgrade of infrastructure around Perth Airport if elected.

The Prime Minister Julia Gillard made the WA Gateway announcement while on the campaign trail in Perth today.

The area takes in the marginal seat of Hasluck.

She said the upgrade would reduce congestion and ensure families and business people could get to and from Perth Airport safer and faster.

The WA Gateway proposal includes: building an interchange at the intersection of Leach and Tonkin highways; widening Tonkin Highway to a six lane freeway; building a grade separated interchange at the intersection of Tonkin Highway and Horrie Miller Drive-Kewdale Road; Upgrading the intersection between the Roe and Tonkin Highways to a full freeway-to-freeway interchange; Building a flyover at the intersection of Leach Highway and Abernethy Road; and upgrading Orrong Road (from Leach Highway to Graham Farmer Freeway).

Federal Labor said the state government had already made a submission for $600 million for the project and it would contribute 80 per cent of the funds.

Ms Gillard also announced Labor would deliver the additional funds necessary to complete the 4.1 kilometre upgrade of the Great Eastern Highway.

The additional funding for the upgrade will be determined in consultation with the WA Government, with Federal Labor committing up to 80 per cent.

This funding will come from the existing, and budgeted for, Nation Building Program and its next tranche.